2 layers99.8 × 99.8 mm
MECB Template 22V10
DigicoolThings/MECB
Minimalist Europe Card Bus (MECB). An 8-bit Retro Computing Modular System Bus for 8-bit Retro Enthusiast Experimentation.
7 parts24
2 layers99.8 × 99.8 mm
MECB Template 16V8
DigicoolThings/MECB24Minimalist Europe Card Bus (MECB). An 8-bit Retro Computing Modular System Bus for 8-bit Retro Enthusiast Experimentation.
- Size
- 99.8 × 99.8 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 7
- Nets
- 65
- Pads
- 92
- Tracks, vias
- 148, 0
- Pours
- 1
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 10.0 (file 20260206)
- Created
- 1 Mar 2022
- Updated
- 5 Nov 2026
Overview
MECB Template 16V8 is an open-source printed circuit board by DigicoolThings, from the DigicoolThings/MECB repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 99.8 × 99.8 mm with 7 parts on 65 nets, routed with 148 tracks and 0 vias.
Its parts include 1 capacitor, 1 IC and 1 connector. It belongs with the retro computing and games boards and the FPGA and CPLD boards of this library.
README
README.mdMinimalist Europe Card Bus (MECB)
Europe Card Bus (ECB) is a Retro CPU Bus standard from the late 1970’s / early 1980’s.
The “Minimalist Europe Card Bus” (MECB), as I call it, is a Retro 8-bit CPU Bus based PCB design standard that I decided to define & document. The purpose of which is to provide a modular platform for me to re-experience the fun of experimenting with the different 8-bit CPU’s, and the various video and peripheral devices, that I grew up with in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.
My goal is that of a robust and modular design platform which would allow me to create interchangeable boards, based on time proven reliable bus connectors and modern low-cost prototype PCB manufacturing.
i.e. A robust, flexible, and low cost way for me to re-create some of the early microprocessor circuits, that I’d originally built using Wire-Wrap methods back in the day.
As evident from the name, the Bus itself is based on a Minimalist implementation of the original Europe Card Bus (ECB) standard.
The included 'MECB_Template_16V8' and 'MECB_Template_22V10' folders contains KiCAD v9 Templates to enable fast-tracking new MECB board designs. This templates also include the standardised PLD (either 16V8 or 22V10), for Address Decoding, and is as illustrated in the Standardised Board Mechanical Specifications diagram below.
To utilise either Template, simply copy the entire Template folder and contents into your KiCAD v9 'KICAD_USER_TEMPLATE_DIR' path folder (as defined under: Preferences -> Configure Paths...).
More information on the Minimalist Europe Card Bus (MECB) can be found here: https://digicoolthings.com/minimalist-europe-card-bus-mecb
MECB Board Mechanical (MECB_BoardMechanical.pdf)
MECB Bus Pinout (MECB_Bus_Pinout.png)
Parts
7| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | MountingHole | MountingHole:MountingHole_3.2mm_M3 | H1, H2, H3, H4 |
| 1 | 0.22uf | Capacitor_THT:C_Disc_D5.0mm_W2.5mm_P5.00mm | C1 |
| 1 | ATF16V8 | MECB:DIP-20_W7.62mm_Socket_LongPads_ZIF_friendly | U1 |
| 1 | MECB_64AC | MECB:DIN41612_C_2x32_C64AC_Male_Horizontal_THT | J1 |
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Questions
How big is the MECB Template 16V8 PCB?
It measures 99.8 × 99.8 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the MECB Template 16V8 use?
7 parts. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the MECB Template 16V8 KiCad files?
From the DigicoolThings/MECB repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is MECB_Template_16V8/MECB_Template_16V8.kicad_pcb and its schematic MECB_Template_16V8/MECB_Template_16V8.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the MECB Template 16V8 design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask DigicoolThings before reusing the design.